The second edition of the popular ebook collecting the stories of 40 visionary businesswomen on how personality has been a factor in their success (and advice for up and coming female entrepreneurs around the world).

1. the personality
project
Women of Personality
40 Inspiring Women And
Their Stories Of Success
2nd Edition – October 2009
www.thepersonalityproject.com/wop2

2. 40 Visionary Women.
One Big Question ...
Why does personality matter?
* This ebook compiles the stories of 40 extraordinary women as
they recount the role personality has had in building their
own successful careers and businesses. The goal of this
ebook is to inspire future female entrepreneurs
and business women of all ages to reach
higher and achieve even more.

3. The 1st Edition Contributors:
Stephanie Agresta – Consultant & Social Media Expert | www.stephanieagresta.com
Kare Anderson – Journalist & Strategist | www.sayitbetter.com
Susan Bratton – CEO, Personal Life Media | www.dishymix.com
Anita Campbell – Editor, Small Business Trends | www.smallbiztrends.com
Krishna De – Personal Branding Expert | www.bizgrowthnews.com
Zadi Diaz – New Media Producer, Smashface Productions | www.smashface.com
Kimberlie Dykeman – On-Camera Personality, Motivational Speaker | www.puresoapbox.com
Dr. Marsha Firestone – Founder, Women Presidents’ Organization | www.womenpresidentsorg.com
Jackie Huba – Author | www.churchofthecustomer.com
Karen Kerrigan – CEO, Small Business Entrepreneurship Council | www.sbecouncil.org
Mia Kim – Founder, Popgadget.net | www.popgadget.net
Leah Komaiko – Brand Consultant, Author & Recovering Comedienne | www.leahkomaiko.com
Yvonne Lembi-Detert – CEO/President, Personality Hotels | www.personalityhotels.com
Charlene Li – Author & Founder, Altimeter Group | www.altimetergroup.com
Laura Mayes – Co-Founder, Kirtsy.com | www.kirtsy.com
Melanie Notkin – Founder, SavvyAuntie.com | www.savvyauntie.com
Laura Ries – Branding Guru & Bestselling Author | www.ries.com
Kaira Sturdivant Rouda – Author, Real You Incorporated | www.realyouincorporated.com
Roz Savage – eco-Adventurer, Author & Motivational Speaker | www.rozsavage.com
Marcia Silverman – CEO, Ogilvy Public Relations | www.ogilvypr.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTORS

4. The 2nd Edition Contributors:
Janet Arneau – Producer, Actress, Stand Up Comedienne | www.janetarneau.com
Deepika Bajaj – Founder, Invincibelle | www.invincibelle.com
Melinda Blau – Co-Author, Consequential Strangers, Freelance Journalist | www.melindablau.com
Victoria Colligan – Founder, Ladies Who Launch | www.ladieswholaunch.com
Shayna Englin – Founder, Englin Consulting LLC| www.englin.net
Jill Foster – Founder, Women Grow Business | www.womengrowbusiness.com
Kathy Korman Frey – Founder, Hot Mammas® Project | www.HotMommasProject.org
Adriana Gascoigne – Founder, Girls in Tech | www.adrianagascoigne.com
Lynne d Johnson – SVP Social Media, Advertising Research Foundation | www.lynnedjohnson.com
Julie Silard Kantor – Social Entrepreneur | www.nfte.com
Michelle Madhok – Founder, SheFinds Media | www.shefinds.com
Jennifer Marchetti – Founder, GoosieCards | www.goosiecards.com
Debra Morrow – Brand Consultant, Inventor, Fmr. Ad Agency President | www.morrowcompany.net
Deborah Schimberg – Entrepreneur, Founder, Verve Inc.| www.gleegum.com
Clara Shih – Author, The Facebook Era | www.thefacebookera.com
Rashmi Sinha – Founder, Slideshare | www.slideshare.net
Kelley Murray Skoloda – Author, Marketing-to-Women Expert | www.kelleymurrayskoloda.com
Denise Smith – Founder, ChicksWhoClick | www.chickswhoclick.net
Denise Wakeman – Founder, The Blog Squad | www.denisewakeman.com
Yuli Ziv – Founder, MyItThings | www.myitthings.com
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTORS

5. * Stephanie Agresta – Consultant & Social Media Expert
Throughout my career, I’ve been good at connecting people, ideas, products, and services
using digital technology in new and inventive ways. I’m good at it because I am creative, I
know a lot of people and I have a deep passion for and knowledge of Internet Marketing
(built up over the last 13 years). To use “Tipping Point” language, I am a true connector
(defined in wikipedia as people in a community who know large numbers of people and
who are in the habit of making introductions). This natural skill made me a perfect fit for
marketing and business development roles which have shaped my career success.
This characteristic has also come in especially handy in the social media world. From a
personality perspective, “social” is something I’ve been since I was born. As a business
development professional, networking has been my life blood for over 15 years. I love
connecting with people and talking to others. I’m outgoing, open and friendly – a perfect
About Stephanie: trifecta for social media success. This medium is not for everyone. As Rohit correctly points
Stephanie Agresta has been a out in “Personality Not Included,” you have to be willing to bring your core self to the table.
force in the online marketing
industry for nearly 15 years. An
expert in social media, affiliate For me, participating in social media is a very authentic, accurate representation of my life.
program management and And I truly enjoy listening to others and fostering the growth of the community.
Web2.0 strategies, she is a
sought-after speaker at industry
There are some downsides to having a lot of personality. Early in my career I found it
events. Stephanie started her confining to be in large organizations. I preferred start ups to corporations and then went on
career with iVillage, a women- to start my own start ups.
focused web destination and one
of the first websites to build
community online. She went on to Thankfully, another core aspect of my personality is persistence. My advice to others is to
hold prominent sales, marketing push forward until you find environments that suit your personality best. There is not one
and business development roles
with Internet powerhouses such
right answer for finding career success. I do know this for sure: if your path is based on a
as Barnes & Noble.com, truthful recognition about who you are and what you truly enjoy, you will shine!
Register.com and SpaFinder.
Learn More About Stephanie Agresta: www.stephanieagresta.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

6. * Kare Anderson – Emmy-winning Journalist & Strategist
The innate personality of a reporter is curiosity, a garment that rested easily on me from the
moment I started asking questions. As a child I was diagnosed as "phobically shy" a label I
fiercely rejected yet since I seldom spoke, nobody knew. I was also a stutterer but it was my
pleasure in daydreaming that most accounts for my silence through high school. Except for
asking questions. An astute high school English teacher figured out that I'd be more
comfortable asking than answering. That's how my journalism career started.
People love to answer questions about themselves, one after another, especially when each
question taps into the part of their previous answer about which they felt most intensely.
Somehow college opened a new chapter of my life. Upon arriving I stopped stuttering and
began asking people questions - even when not in the role of reporter. (I recommend serial
About Kare: question-asking as a becoming way to turn strangers into friends and to deepen
friendships.) Later those questions led me to work for the Wall Street Journal and NBC.
Collaboration strategist, Obama
campaign “partnerships” staffer,
Emmy-winning former Wall Street What have I learned from adopting that question-driven facet of my personality? That
Journal and NBC journalist, Kare
sometimes we mis-read others or inadvertently ignore or override them – and that we
Anderson is also a speaker and
author of Resolving Conflict display just a few sides of ourselves. Instead, by becoming deeper listeners and asking more
Sooner, Getting What You Want questions, we could become happier and higher-performing with others and demonstrate a
and Walk Your Talk, with two
different facet of our personality that most expresses how we feel and how we want to be
blogs, Moving From Me to We and
Say it Better. seen now.
As Albert Schweitzer wrote, “In everybody’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is
then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful
for those people who rekindle the inner flame.”
Learn More About Kare Anderson: www.sayitbetter.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

7. * Janet Arneau – Producer, Actress, Stand-Up Comedienne
Personality is important you and your personality are the essence of your business, you are
your business, your business is you. I am stimulated by how people should feel, I created
and am the Spokesperson for a comical interview style reality show called "What's Your
Problem?", we ask those we interview one question: “What’s Your Problem?”
People want to be on camera but when they have no formal training they get stumped. I
guide and direct people into a funny place, bringing out their comedy, they feel so good
about themselves so it makes me feel good. I have always liked people and been interested
About Janet:
Janet is a diverse film, television, in people. With a little stimulus people open up in such refreshing unique ways. I treat
and stage actress and everyone as my equal all ages and all races. These are choices I have lived by which in turn
comedienne. She has appeared in has shaped my personality and given me the privy of traveling the world, knowing and
16 films, 40 theatrical productions
and numerous television working with people worldwide.
commercials and roles on hit TV
programs such as the FX I come from a family of 5 females, my mother, myself and three sisters, my father died at an
channel's "Rescue Me." Janet has
also appeared in industrial early age. My mother taught us to rely on what we can earn on our own she said: “It can be a
productions as a spokeswoman long wait, waiting for someone to give you some thing or you can go get it yourself”. These
for Fortune 500 Companies such are very stimulating words to a young person it gives you the perspective the world is your
as AT&T, Coke, Phillip Morris and
many others. Before launching oyster, any thing is possible.
her career as an actress, Janet
owned and operated a successful One of my favorite songs is Cock Eyed Optimist from South Pacific, this pretty much sums
retail dress business in Atlanta
Georgia. Currently Janet creates, me up. Life is as fun as we want it to be. This is the direction I take my endeavors, fun, which
produces and stars in her own includes creating reality television shows and their branding. I am currently launching the
comedic, reality based television merchandise for my “What’s Your Problem?” brand at www.whatsyourproblemtv.com. And
show-"What’s Your Problem?"
broadcast for 4 seasons on the being that I do like to laugh I am also a Stand-Up comedian.
Time Warner Cable system. She
worked on the feature film, "The
King of California" starring
Michael Douglas. Learn More About Janet Arneau: www.janetarneau.com
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

8. * Deepika Bajaj – Founder, President of Invincibelle
One day when I returned from school, my Grandfather heard my mom scolding me. He came through the door
and inquired why my Mom was so upset with me. She told him that I had fared poorly in my exams and had no
interest in my education. He simply looked at me with his gentle eyes and said, "A man can be robbed of
everything he possesses BUT no one can steal the investment you make in your education and
health." And then, he sat down and told me a touching story:
"Once upon a time, there was little girl. She wanted to change the world. She wanted all the kids to have candies.
Every time she tried to explain to the king, why he had to provide candies for all the kids, he dismissed her. She was
very hurt and was crying when a passerby stopped to check on her. He was a sage and was curious to know why the
little kid was so disturbed. When she told him the reason, he looked at her and said, "Why wait for the king to
change his mind, why don't you learn to make candies? When you do so, you can sell the candies to the King's
vendors and make a profit. From the profit, you can make more candies and you can distribute those candies to the
kids." The sage told the little kid, if you are willing to learn then you have the power to do whatever you want."
That was it. At that moment, something changed in me and probably shaped my personality in a BIG way. I
developed this hunger for learning and to change the world. To change the world, you needed new ways of
thinking and for that you needed education. From that point, I surrounded myself with teachers. They
About Deepika: recognized my thirst for knowledge and my passion to make a difference in the world. With the direction and
Deepika Bajaj is the founder and focus I got from them, I started to see results and ultimately discovered my inner calling. This was when I
president of Invincibelle, a company started to build my company, Invincibelle.
empowering diverse, multi
generational workforce and women Part of being in Corporate America for nearly ten years, I observed that the irony of ethnic/affinity groups was
to thrive in a multicultural world. to create an inclusive environment by dividing people into different groups – Asian American, Hispanic,
She has served on the board of the African American et al. This did not make sense. I believe that the most important thing is how will we create
National Society of Hispanic MBAs
an inclusive environment in which the next generation of diversity leadership will come from. Today with
and Women in Intel. Deepika is the
author of the book "DiversityTweet:
technology and globalization, every single person, with his or her own combination of experiences and
Embracing growing diversity in our backgrounds is a unique global citizen. That is the new diversity. I believe that journey of entrepreneurship is
world". She is working on the full of uncertainty, rejections and accomplishments. You have to stick with it and see it through. If it were not
second one (yet to be named) that for my personality that is passionate, tenacious, open to trying new things, reasonably comfortable with
speaks to her experiences of being a uncertainty, open to getting good help and willing to pay the price to change the world, I would not have
global citizen. She is a Social media embarked on making the world a better place for coming generations of diverse workforce.
columnist for Active Garage. You
can follow her at @invincibelle on
Twitter. Learn More About Deepika Bajaj: www.deepikabajaj.com
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

9. * Melinda Blau – Award Winning Journalist & Co-Author, Consequential Strangers
I have always had an insatiable curiosity about people. In college, I spent hours “interviewing” my
dorm mates; I knew everyone’s problems and how to solve them. Eventually, I made a career out of it.
But not before an uncommonly generous editor nursed me through my first article. “Blau!” he shouted,
after reading my third draft. “You skip through life. Why are you lumbering on paper!” He was telling
me to put my personality on paper. But what neither of us could have anticipated then was that forty
years later a writer would also have to be a personality. Books are more plentiful in 2009, attention
spans shorter. Skipping in print isn’t enough. Like any “manufacturer” in the era of social media, for my
“product” to sell, I have to connect with potential “customers” and stay in touch even after they buy
the book. I need to amass a “tribe” of readers. Or at least, that’s the theory.
About Melinda:
Award-winning journalist Melinda I had a best-selling book once, way back in 2001–ancient history in Internet time. Secrets of the Baby
Blau has spent the last several Whisperer was that rare perfect storm in publishing: Twelve houses vied for the proposal. A two-book
decades researching and writing
deal and a hefty six-figure advance followed. We launched on Dateline and Today and hit the list
about lifestyle trends, family issues,
education, health, and sexuality. immediately. But I was the writer, not the personality. Tracy Hogg–the original super nanny–did all the
Her most recent book, post-publication work. I collected royalty checks. The books had staying power for two reasons: I’d
Consequential Strangers: People managed to capture Tracy’s presence on paper–her personality came through. Just as important, Tracy
Who Don’t Seem to Matter...But genuinely loved interacting with her readers. She answered their emails, left posts on the message
Really Do, examines the surprisingly
vital connections beyond family boards, met for online chats, and did consults by phone. Even after she was diagnosed with
and close friends–a subject that esophageal cancer, she spent hours “with” her fans. And they loved her for it. Though she died in
takes readers into the worlds of 2005, shortly before a third book was published, they continue to keep her alive. Not so incidentally,
business and marketing, the our books are still selling.
Internet and social media, health
and "place making." Many parents I am not just the writer of my latest book; I am its personality. I blog for several sites including my own.
know Melinda as the co-author
I twitter and visit Facebook many times a day and reply to everyone who contacts me. I share bits of my
(with the late Tracy Hogg) of the
best-selling "baby whisperer" series. own life. It takes time, but I do it because–naturally–I want people to buy the book. It took me three
In addition to her nine other books, years to write; now I want it read. I also do it because I still love hearing people’s stories. It’s who I am.
Melinda’s writing has been featured But the biggest carrot is the feedback. When someone tells me that reading Consequential Strangers
in The New York Times, and helped her gain a fresh perspective on a problem in her own life, I remember why I became a writer in
American Health and she has been
a guest on Good Morning America, the first place.
CBS This Morning, Oprah, and
numerous other national and local Learn More About Melinda Blau: www.consequentialstrangers.com
TV and radio broadcasts.
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

10. * Susan Bratton – CEO, Personal Life Media
At the intersection of personality and entrepreneurial success, there is
one character and one event that have served me the most.
My life purpose or special capability is recognizing "the element" in people -- the perfect
intersection of their talent and passion. You might not know when you are in your element,
but I can see it and show you who you are through my lens. My level of appreciation for
a individual's unique talent combined with my passion for being with a variety of personality
types, naturally fosters many deep and sustaining relationships. Being an entrepreneur is
not a solo experience. Because I truly "see" an individual's distinctive "element," many, many
people connect with me on a more intimate level and subsequently bond to me. Then
About Susan: they "have my back" and actively support my endeavors, including my start up, my show
Susan Bratton treasures talent and my products. Leveraging this aspect of my character on behalf of others in turn, gives
with unique perspectives about me an authentic, competitive advantage!
digital media, which she
showcases in her weekly online
show, “DishyMix,” the #1 Social The event that allowed me to live confidently into my own personality was my mid-life crisis.
Media Podcast. As co-founder of If you knew me in my early forties, you'd still be giggling about it. Wild ride. The best part
Personal Life Media, she publishes
40 weekly podcasts on self- was that I put a lid on my "auto pilot people pleaser" and started to ask for and be exactly
empowerment, consciousness what I wanted and who I really was. I unfurled my personal freak flag. I went from short
and professional growth. “Talk brown to long blonde hair. I shucked my business suits in favor of Burning Man-inspired
Show Tips: 72 ‘Master Host’
Techniques” is her system for outfits. And more deeply, I started to live for myself. In that metamorphosis, I became more
preparing, producing and powerful, more fun, more alluring to others because I finally grew into my self. When you
promoting interview-style shows. share your authentic personality, everyone delights in being in the presence of truth. The
Susan is a motivational speaker
with a focus on the intersection of work I do in the world now, at Personal Life Media, is courageous and startlingly honest and I
marketing and technology. She’s couldn't have been this forthright in my work and life until I owned my true self.
founded two industry
associations and is on the board
of numerous marketing
technology companies.
Learn More About Susan Bratton: www.dishymix.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

11. * Anita Campbell – Editor, Small Business Trends
From the beginning, I knew that I would need to distinguish my online business if I had any
hope of it standing out from the billions of pages on the Web and in the Google index.
Sometimes small businesses try to appear “larger” and more impersonal, in an attempt to
gain credibility and impress potential customers. But I am a fan of Richard Branson and
studied how he was bigger than life behind Virgin –- even to this day when it is a huge
multinational company. So I embraced everything about being a business run by an
individual – me! That’s what made it stand out in a sea of impersonal and faceless sites in the
early days.
When you come to Small Business Trends, there’s no doubt that it is run by small business
About Anita:
people, not some media conglomerate. There’s a from-the-trenches authenticity that no
Widely considered a “small
business expert,” Anita Campbell
large media company can mimic.
serves as CEO of Anita Campbell
Associates Ltd, a woman-owned Today the site’s gotten much bigger than a single-person operation. We have staff and
consulting firm helping
companies and organizations
many service providers helping run it. But I hope to always let people know there are real
reach the small business market. human beings – with individual ideas and passions – behind it. That’s one of our
As Publisher of several online competitive advantages.
media properties and syndicated
content, Anita reaches over
1,000,000 small business owners
and entrepreneurs annually. She
is the founder and Editor-in-Chief
of Small Business Trends, an
award-winning online
publication.She hosts Small
Business Trends Radio, where she
interviews other small business
experts. She also publishes Selling
to Small Businesses.
Learn More About Anita Campbell: www.smallbiztrends.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

12. * Victoria Colligan – Founder, Ladies Who Launch
For me Personality is synonymous with Authenticity. In the beginning, when you first start
a business, being authentic can be challenging. You are learning so much. There is
tremendous pressure to get things right, make the right decisions. Yet, authenticity is
necessary to be successful. What you don’t realize early on is that if you can tap into that
unconscious part of you that is all-knowing, you are more likely to be successful and make
choices that benefit you and your business.
I once read an article by a very prominent guru and public speaker in which he describes his
process for getting ready for a presentation: He said that in the beginning of his career, he
would spend hours preparing for presentations and transcribing, in meticulous detail, what
About Victoria: he thought he would say. Fast forward years later, post self-awareness development, he
Victoria is the Founder of Ladies
describes his process as completely the opposite. In fact he no longer prepares at all,
Who Launch, the first new media
company to provide resources and choosing instead to focus on the present moment and to draw on his inner wisdom of what
connections for women entrepre- is required in that moment to convey. Building a successful business is a comparable
neurs. She is the creator of Ladies
Who Launch Online and the
analogy.
Featured Lady stories. She is also
co-author of the book Ladies Who Staying in the present moment and developing the ability to make spontaneous, yet
Launch: Embracing Entrepreneur-
ship and Creativity as a Lifestyle.
advantageous decisions that are at once strategic and relevant are required to get to the
Victoria has been featured on “The next level. Unfortunately, we often confuse true inner wisdom with that thought which is
Today Show,” in The New York emotionally charged, letting emotion, rather than authenticity, drive our choices. If I am ever
Times, and in many other media
outlets. Prior to starting Ladies Who
feeling stuck, I often ask myself this question, if it were one year from today and I were
Launch, Victoria worked as director looking back on this moment, what decision would I have made? This rationale and way of
of content and business develop- thinking can be applied not only to business, but also to life. And for many, like me, the two
ment for Amsale, a high-end
wedding gowns designer, where
are inseparable.
she relaunched their Web site,
started an online magazine, and
developed numerous strategic
partnerships. Learn More About Victoria Colligan: www.ladieswholaunch.com
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

13. * Krishna De – Personal Branding Expert
Growing up I am not sure I paid much attention to the subject of personality as being critical
for my career success. My family instilled qualities in me around working hard, applying
myself to my studies and doing the best job that I could. As the eldest child I am sure that
had an impact on my perspective and outlook on the world and I was certainly encouraged
to be ‘responsible’. Yet as I progressed in my career, I realized over time that being great at
what you do in terms of strong performance was not sufficient for career success. I just had
to look at the executives I had the privilege to work with to realize that some of them
seemed to make a greater impact on the people in their organization than others. I
remember one boss in particular who really tapped into my discretionary energy through
his leadership and personal style – I know my performance, engagement and results in the
About Krishna:
organization I was working with was partly due to my interactions with him.
Krishna De is an award winning
brand engagement and digital
marketing author, mentor and As an aside, I’m now a mother of twin daughters and I am intrigued by the subject of
commentator. She is a member of personality. Trying hard to treat my daughters and their elder sibling equally, it is interesting
the Social Media Working group
of the Irish Internet Association
to see how different their personalities seemed to emerge and are distinctly different from
and is the social media expert on each other when they were just a few days old.
the faculty of the Digital
Marketing Institute.
I know that my personality and personal brand has developed over time partly due to my
Krishna is also the author of ‘42 career experiences and also due to becoming clear about what I do want to be remembered
Rules of Marketing in a Recession’ for – as some people describe it ‘the footprint’ you want to leave in the world. What I’ve
and ‘Managing Your Personal
Brand Online: How to Master the
come to realize is that my ‘message’ is not relevant for everyone – some people will resonate
7 Keys of Professional Success in a with my teaching, writing or speaking and others won’t. I hope that my personality will
Digital Age’ which will be continue to develop based on my future experiences and the people I meet on my journey
published in 2009 and has been
recognized as one of the top 50
throughout my career.
business women in Ireland.
Learn More About Krishna De: www.bizgrowthnews.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

14. * Zadi Diaz – New Media Producer, SmashFace Productions
The most important lesson I've learned while developing my career on the web is how to be
authentic -- or better put, how not to be afraid of being authentic. Sometimes in building a
business or "personal brand" we acquire protective layers and forget that the best way to
get our message across is to be raw and passionate about what we do. Zero in on that one
thing that keeps you itching to do more. That thing that makes you excited to get out of bed
and explore... people will want to explore with you.
The second most important lesson I've learned is that we're all ultimately looking for
connection. Whether its another person, an idea, or a product, we ultimately want to feel
understood. The easiest way to understand one another is to take the time to listen. Much of
our personality is shaped through reaction. Much of our reaction is shaped by how well we
About Zadi:
listen.
Zadi Diaz is a new media
producer and co-founder of
Smashface Productions..She is The third most important lesson I've learned is to keep a balanced perspective and not lose
also the co-creator and host of too much sleep when things don't go as planned. Sometimes the road to authenticity and
EPIC FU, a popular Webby®
award-winning web series about
connection leaves us open to criticism that can oftentimes be unexpected and harsh. Leave
internet culture, as well as co- yourself time and space to regroup, to re-evaluate, and return with a fresh perspective and
founder of Pixelodeon. Her work desire to continue exploring.
has been highlighted in the New
York Times, Forbes, CBS Evening
News, MTV, The Associated Press,
The Guardian and others. She is a
member of the International
Academy of Digital Arts and
Sciences (IADAS), on the advisory
board for PBS Engage, as well as a
member of the Transatlantic
Network 2020, an international
initiative founded by the British
Council.
Learn More About Zadi Diaz: www.smashface.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

15. * Kimberlie Dykeman – On-Camera Personality, Motivational Speaker & Author
First off, I must humbly say that my personality is the best thing I have going for me! It has
evolved from my parents’ influences, countless roller-coaster personal experiences, the
growth of my faith, and unbelievable entrepreneurial ventures; and after years and years of
folks telling me I’m one of the most memorable people they’ve ever met…I started to
believe them!
A business can begin, grow and survive without things like a full-fledged business strategy,
a jillion connections, investors, or employees. But you just can’t acquire a personality from
your local 7-11 store or Walmart, folks. Personality fronts a strong mission, supports a team,
engages loyal customers and cultivates a promising future. And that said, a GREAT ONE is
priceless!
About Kimberlie:
On another note, though, personality is not just what you present and share with other
Kimberlie Dykeman is one of
those people you don’t soon
people…it’s something that you carry inside you and tap into daily for momentum. I know
forget. She has dedicated her life that my passion for motivating, entertaining and educating the masses is overflowing and
to being a motivator, entertainer contagious to those surrounding me. I witness it every day! But it’s the times alone where I
and educator; and whether
on-camera, on-air, on the field, or
know this enthusiastic, determined, risk-taking engine of a personality keeps me going to
on paper, Kimberlie exudes a handle the challenges of the entrepreneurial life I have chosen.
charismatic, vivacious presence
that has fueled a loyal following.
She is an On-Camera Personality
Net-net: it is because I know I am doing what I am supposed to do in this lifetime, that I can
and Executive Producer, Lifestyle be authentically Kimberlie. I know WHY I am doing WHAT I do, and my personality reflects
Coach and Motivation Speaker, that... and people gravitate to that in spades! I’ve created a path where I get to interactively
International Spokesperson,
Author. Over the past dozen
connect with people of all walks of life, all over the world, and the joy and peace that this
years, Dykeman pioneered a brings me only ignites my personality more!
groundbreaking system of
coaching, launched her first book,
PURE SOAPBOX, and established
SOAPBOX® as a multi-
dimensional brand powerhouse.
Learn More About Kimberlie Dykeman: www.puresoapbox.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

16. * Shayna Englin – Principal, Englin Consulting
I don't build widgets or sell gizmos or produce anything tangible. I have ideas, I recognize
other people's good ideas, and I help them put those good ideas to work changing the
world. I do this because I love it, but I also do it for a living - my work pays the mortgage and
feeds my family and generally keeps us in the manner to which we've grown accustomed
(that manner includes excellent wine, lots of evenings with friends, fabulous travel, and
many Apple branded gadgets, in case you're wondering).
For me to make a successful living, people looking to change the world have to believe I can
help them. They have to believe I'm so good that they should pay me to to help them. And
About Shayna: since I don't have any gadgets or widgets or sales charts or whatnot to prove it, they have to
Shayna launched Englin go with me on the basis of my personality. In my business, there's pressure to be harder,
Consulting, LLC with over a more closed, and, let's be honest, more male. It's just not in me.
decade of experience identifying
and mobilizing supporters for
non-profits, causes, and political My personality is an authentic outpouring of who I am, and it's been the key to my
candidates. From her roots in unconventional success in a business that is notoriously hard to stay independent in. I'm
Colorado as an organizer for
Colorado NARAL, to her role as warm, I'm enthusiastic, I'm curious, I'm driven, I'm supportive, I'm confident, and I will
Fundraising Practice Manager at consider you a friend faster than maybe I should.
Mindshare Interactive Campaigns
(now Verilion), to her leadership
as Program and Political Director All of that comes across clearly, immediately, and thus far (knock on wood) to great effect.
at the Women’s Campaign
Forum, Shayna has been on the
cutting edge in producing
innovative and effective plans,
programs, and materials that
yield results: dollars raised, votes
won, and policy changed.
Shayna lives in Alexandria,
Virginia, with her husband, David,
a member of the Virginia House of
Delegates, and their son, Caleb. Learn More About Shayna Englin: www.englin.net
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

17. * Dr. Marsha Firestone – Founder, Women Presidents’ Organization
The success of any business can, in part, be attributed to the way in which that business is
led. I believe the personality of a business to be inherited from its leader. The Women
Presidents’ Organization began in 1997 with my vision of helping women entrepreneurs
break through barriers and bring their businesses to the next level through the help of their
peers and professionally trained facilitators. It is now an international organization with
chapters in Canada, the US, Peru and the UK.
A successful business owner knows how to steady themselves in most situations. As a leader
it is important to have a stable personality that does not fluctuate greatly with highs and
About Marsha: lows. One dimension of a successful leader is the ability to take some risks and yet be
tenacious, especially in the beginning of a new effort. It is also important to remain
Dr. Marsha Firestone is the
Founder and President of Women optimistic. Believe in what you have built and others will follow if you are able to
Presidents’ Organization (WPO), enthusiastically convey your message. Most of all, even on the worst days, an optimistic
initiated in 1996 as a peer outlook will insure that you and the business can move ahead.
advisory organization for women
who own multi million dollar
businesses. She is also the Perhaps the most important personality trait is the willingness to assume responsibility for
Founder and President of Women the company’s actions. The best CEOs know the buck stops with them. When the company
Presidents’ Educational
Organization, dedicated to grows, that same CEO knows when to let go so that a real division of labor is implemented.
increasing access to business CEO self-awareness is perhaps the most important key to company growth.
opportunities for women’s
business enterprises (WBEs).
Dr. Firestone is the author of The
Busy Woman’s Guide to
Successful Self-Employment and
has published research in
business and educational journals
on adult learning theory,
nonverbal communication, and
managerial competency. Learn More About Dr. Marsha Firestone: www.womenpresidentsorg.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

18. * Jill Foster – Founder, Women Grow Business
One thought keeps muscling through on how personality has impacted my
career: enthusiasm begets enthusiasm. It's that "Holy Smokes, this is cool!"
mentality and letting it emit in its natural verve. When I'm on fire about a new idea or
new member to the blogger team or new video project, etc it's the enthusiasm that has
most shaped opportunity for new partnerships with people that are as on fire about the
project or topic at hand. Then that shared zeal just compounds in the collaboration
and partnership; this exchange with the other person or team involved really appeals
to me.
About Jill:
This enthusiasm has fortified professional and personal relationships with a sense of
Jill Foster, co-founder of DC Media
Makers, teaches social media and
trust -- a type of trust that wonderfully seems to surmount obstacles and doubt. So
serves as editor forWomen Grow from the perspective of contributing to and emerging ideas, the "Oh this is volcanically
Business, a Network Solutions great!" type of attitude shared with folks has led to some fantastic progress, outcomes,
blog and community. In August
2008, Jill covered events at
and relationships.
the Democratic National
Convention using mobile media.
And in May 2009, her mobile
media report co-produced
with Shireen Mitchell won
the Apps for Democracy Social
Citizen Award in Washington, DC.
Conversations regarding her work
have appeared in the
Washingtonian, Washington
Post, GuardianUK, Indy Star, and
other media outlets; she enjoys
participating in tech and
entrepreneurship communities
including DC Web
Women and Women Who Tech
Learn More About Jill Foster: www.womengrowbusiness.com
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

19. * Kathy Korman Frey – Founder, Hot Mommas ® Project
Here’s how I knew I was onto something with the Hot Mommas® Project brand:
Setting: Phone call to sponsor
Me: Hi. This is Kathy Korman Frey. I teach Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at the GW School of Business. I’m
following up on something I sent there last week.
Person on end of phone: [Sorting through mental rolodex, unsuccessfully] Ummm…okay…can you tell me a
bit more?
Me: It was a big envelope. It was bright red and shiny.
Person on end of phone: [One step away from “Bueller, Bueller”] Sure…er…yeah…umm.
Me: It was from The Hot Mommas Project.
Person on end of phone: Oh yes! Of course! I’ll put you right through. We love that name. We were all talking
about it. What do you all do?
To answer the question, The Hot Mommas® Project produces teachable role models for women and girls …or
rather, you do. We invented an online “case wizard” which allows women to tell their stories in an educational
format. We are the largest collection of such stories in the world and have won hoity toity awards. Those
cases, and our other curriculum, are used to TEACH WOMEN LEADERS. No, you don’t have to be a mom.
About Kathy:
Brand birth. That phone call marked my transition from uber-boring white collar consultant to red leather-
Kathy Korman Frey is the wearing branding chick. All my spreadsheets, my MBA, and my resume couldn’t get me what I had gotten
founder of the Hot Mommas® right there on the phone: Instant recognition.
Project and teaches Women’s
Go big or go home. For The Hot Mommas® Project, the bar is raised because of our interesting brand. We
Entrepreneurial Leadership at
the George Washington
have a big name, and we better deliver big. That mentality infuses everything we do. I honestly felt less
University School of Business. motivated when I had my highly-successful-yet-boring consulting firm. Deep down even I found it boring.
She is a contributor to Maria The nay sayers. With a big brand come risks, followed by hate mail. Well, okay – not really – but, we get the
Shriver’s new national occasional person questioning the name. We tested the name extensively and recruited a feminist literature
women’s site, and a featured professor as an advisor. You know what we found? People LOVED it. Those who did not were primarily worried
blogger on Yahoo! Small about what others would think.
Business and ForbesWoman. Branding the unbranded. One of the main reasons people liked the name? Recognition. We branded the
She lives in DC with husband unbranded. We said, “Hey you dynamic women out there…multitasking at home, or working it at work…you
Josh, two munchkins Maxwell
MATTER. You have something to teach, and we’re listening.”
and Delilah, and dog Foxy Frey.
What’s next? Well, Cool Daddies of course.
Learn More About Kathy Korman Frey: www.HotMommasProject.org
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

20. * Adriana Gascoigne – Founder, Girls in Tech
Since I started my career, I’ve been fascinated with emerging technologies and how those
technologies impacted everyday life, particularly innovations in social media. As I really
started diving in and exploring the overall industry more in depth, I saw there was a drastic
disproportion of men to women working within the marketplace and that this issue was not
being addressed in a way that allowed women to feel like an integral part of the field. In
talking with others, this was a common theme, yet there wasn’t a forum or outlet where we
could come together and discuss technology, receive support and education, and feel
empowered by our contributions to the field. As this impacted my life and that of my
girlfriends, I started regular meet-ups that then became Girls in Tech – a social enterprise
aimed at empowering, educating and elevating the status of women in technology.
My background is in communications and through the use of social media tools, I have been
About Adriana: able let other women know about Girls in Tech and the resources available to us within the
A seasoned Web 2.0′er, Adriana is a
video blogger and publishes her own industry. The organization has grown from just a few members meeting over coffee to a
tech lifestyle blog and buzzes around worldwide organization with more than 5,000 members in every corner of the globe.
Silicon Valley speaking at industry
events. Her current role is Director of
Global Communica-tions for SGN, a Through Girls in Tech, I am hoping to reach every woman who shares my passion for
gaming company. Prior to that, technology, and help them embrace both their femininity and enthusiasm for all things
Adriana was the Director of Global
Communica-tions for hi5, one of the
tech.
world’s largest social networks . In
March 2007, Adriana launched Girls
in Tech, an organization focused on
touting women’s achievements in
tech and beyond. In Spring 2009, she
will be launching Smitten With
Mittens, a non-profit providing warm
mittens and clothing to orphans in
developing countries during their
respective winter seasons.
Learn More About Adriana Gascoigne: www.adrianagascoigne.com
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

21. * Jackie Huba – Author
I love many things, but here are four of my favorites:
* The Pittsburgh Steelers
* Mini, my pet poodle
* 80’s music
* Karaoke
They are my passions, and I am not shy in sharing that with you. I weave my passions into
my work, too -- at speaking engagements, in blog posts and online videos. I’ve blogged
about my Steelers tattoo. I’ve told audiences about being a pet parent and raising a four-
About Jackie:
legged furry child. I’ve sung (badly) in a few podcasts and online videos. I've led large groups
Jackie Huba is the co-author of of people in song and trust me, I'm no Joan Baez (or Britney Spears).
“Citizen Marketers: When People
are the Message” and “Creating
Customer Evangelists: How Loyal When I first began to weave my passions into my work, I was pretty scared. What if someone
Customers Become a Volunteer loves the Dallas Cowboys? They might not like me. What if someone thinks poodles are
Sales Force.” She is the co-author
of the award-winning “Church of ridiculous? What if someone thinks "there's no singing in the workplace!" What if, what if,
the Customer” blog, and co- what if. So many risks!
founder of the Society for Word of
Mouth (SWOM). She lives in
Austin, Texas.. One thing I've learned over the years is that a bland, beige personality is an invitation to
obscurity, something we're all working hard to avoid. People do business with people they
like. The companies with the best buzz typically have leaders with big personalities. Their
personalities drive the company's DNA. Successful leaders are typically personality-fearless.
So the best thing is: Try hard to be yourself. Then try harder. Your personality, especially for
women, may be your most strategic asset in attracting and retaining customers, especially
the ones who share your passions.
Learn More About Jackie Huba: www.churchofthecustomer.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

22. * Lynne d Johnson – Social Media SVP, Advertising Research Foundation
I don't think I started my career thinking about the role my personality played in its
development, at least not as much as I thought about acquiring multiple skills. But
somehow and somewhere along the way, in my quest to develop those skills, my
personality began to emerge as a significant force in building the bridge to my future.
At some point, early in my career, I came across a book, The Personal Touch: What You Really
Need to Succeed in Today's Fast Paced Business World, written by Terrie Williams, a very
successful African-American entrepreneur with her own PR agency that services several
stars. The book was about Williams' personal touch philosophy and her unique formula for
success that combines a distinctive work ethic, with attention to detail, drive, determination,
honesty, and integrity. What I found out is that I was already doing a lot of what Williams
wrote about in her book. Sending handwritten thank you notes, even for the slightest thing.
About Lynne:
Lynne d Johnson is Senior Vice Making it a point to remember names. Maintaining relationships by developing mutually
President, Social Media for the beneficial relationships with contacts, and connecting others to do the same. Doing favors
Advertising Research for people big and small--from the heart, with passion. Going the extra mile. But like
Foundation. She was formerly
the senior editor and community Williams in her book, none of these things were gimmicky for me. They were real, a part of
director of FastCompany.com, a who I already was as a person and who I was becoming as a business professional.
leading website and community for
Fast Company magazine. In these days of social media, it seems that the personal touch would be harder to achieve
She writes Digital Media Diva, a given the various networks one may belong to. But actually it becomes a lot easier. There
technology blog following web,
media, and consumer trends for are tools that track your conversations and your relationships. Tools that help you make
FastCompany.com. Also a connections and get introductions. And sometimes though your bio may get you in the
consultant, Johnson works with door, it's who you really are that's going to make a difference. Your character, that first
media properties on digital content,
branding, and social media impression truly opens and closes the door to business, even on the Web. You can't build a
development and strategy. Prior to personal brand without being personable. Though it may be cliche, and from Shakespeare's
Fast Company, she served as the Hamlet, to thine own self be true is the best thing anyone could ever do for herself in
general manager, new media for
VIBE, and SPIN. She is an adjunct business and in life.
professor in the Audrey Cohen
School for Human Services, Learn More About Lynne d Johnson: www.lynnedjohnson.com
Metropolitan College of New York.
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

23. * Julie Silard Kantor – Social Entrepreneur
Email, Facebook, Twitter, Cell Phone, Business Meetings, Linked-In, Friends of Friends ... Mother, Daughter,
Wife, Artist, Social Entrepreneur, Sister, Friend-- We all wear many hats and there are many many ways people
can get in touch with us and visa versa. So when you make a CHOICE to meet someone, what is it that makes
you want to spend time with them-- connect... answer the phone when they call or actually call that person
back? Its usually personality. You want to call them back, you want to see them, and you feel that you have
something that YOU WANT to connect on. I have never been a big fans of SHOULDS and COULDS-- life is a lot
more fun when you are with people you want to connect with and learn from and about.
Over the past 16 years, I have been building a global movement with an amazing team called Network for
Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)-- we are now the world leader in youth entrepreneurship education with
About Julie: over 230,000 graduates in 13 countries. I head up Government Affairs and also the Greater Washington
Julie Silard Kantor has taught office. Many years ago I was at a conference I wasn't suppose to be at. The founder of NFTE spoke, Steve
entrepreneurship to urban youth Mariotti in front of 1,000 people and his story changed my life. (Steve and NFTE story are detailed in my book I
since 1992. Before becoming the Said Yes). I had a window of 4 minutes to meet Steve and I knew that I needed to say something that would
Vice President of Government
create a connection. I needed to impress him and somehow get on his radar screen with so many people
Affairs, Ms. Kantor served as
Executive Director of the NFTE
standing in line to meet him.
Greater Washington DC office. She As Steve would tell you, I took his picture for the magazine and told him that I wanted to come work with him-
received the NFTE Leadership Award
- the following week-- I guess I made an impression, although I remember the story a bit differently. The
in ‘05 & ‘07, was NFTE Executive of
the Year in ‘99, Washingtonian important thing though is that was 16 years ago and its been and amazing journey.
Magazine’s 100 people to watch So how do you use your personality to open a door? break down a door? who gets on your radar screen as a
under 40, & SmartCEO Magazine’s
leader or a friend? and once they are in the door of your life, how are deep and meaningful personal and
Top 20 Leaders in ‘07. In her new
book, I SAID YES: Real Life Stories of professional relationships built. is it the loud person or the driven person or the quieter person who
Students, Teachers and Leaders speaks little but says so much in few words? Networking is a hallmark skill of an entrepreneur, and one of our
Saying YES! To Youth Entrepreneur- objectives is that every young person should and can learn these skills and it takes confidence and passion to
ship in America’s Schools, Ms. let your unique personality to come out and shine!
Kantor gives her first-person
account as an entrepreneurial As a manager, leader, friend, social entrepreneur and family member I come in contact with so many
leader, taking the reader inside the personality types-- what are they passionate about? What makes one's heart soar? Is this person curious
real-life stories of inner-city youth about life and growing? Can I really 'see' who this person is... and if the answers are clear to me than the
and others whose lives have been emails, the cell phone calls, the Facebook connects are all welcomed!
influenced, inspired and forever
changed through an interest in
becoming an entrepreneur.
Learn More About Julie Silard Kantor: www.nfte.org
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

24. * Karen Kerrigan – CEO, Small Business Entrepreneurship Council
A core attribute that anchors my personality is authenticity - that is, not allowing outside
influences to crush or confuse my genuine spirit or the way I approach life, leadership and
business. From an early age we are pressed to conform and that continues well into
adulthood. And, while a certain level of conformity is necessary to have healthy relationships
and a productive business life, I have not compromised (or been forced to forfeit) key traits
that remain essential to leading and achieving higher levels of success.
Primarily, I do not like it when I am told "it can't be done." Being both tenacious and
competitive, these are "fighting words" to me. When I have a vision or goal, I am convinced
"it" can be done with hard work, creativity and teamwork. I don't know if this determined
personality trait is inborn or developed, but I do know it has routinely helped to attract the
About Karen:
right people, resources and results to all my projects, organizations and work.
Karen Kerrigan has been at the
forefront of leading key initiatives
to help foster U.S. and global Though competitive, I really enjoy working with other people to achieve win-win outcomes.
entrepreneurship. She is president I love to collaborate and am truly energized by creative give-and-take, and executing a
& CEO of the Small Business & project to final completion. I think people sense this openness and positive energy, and
Entrepreneurship Council, and
founder of Women Entrepreneurs therefore more opportunities continue to follow. I am a true optimist. Some say I convey a
Inc. (WE Inc.). Among other "too sunny" outlook at times - but sorry, I am not going to be miserable or buy into your
accolades, Inc. Magazine named doom-and-gloom view just to make you happy (or to conform!)
Kerrigan to its small business "Best
Friends in D.C." (2006); Fortune
Small Business to its “Power 30” Being inquisitive and always wanting to learn, I feel that I gain something of value from
list (2000); and The Hill newspaper every human interaction. People you come into contact with intuitively know whether such
to its “most influential small
business” list (2006), as it interactions are genuine or contrived. I have true respect and affection for my fellow
described her as “the hardest woman and man, and as such this continues to foster success that is satisfying to the soul.
working woman in show
business.” She is a founding
member of the World
Entrepreneurship Forum.
Learn More About Karen Kerrigan: www.sbecouncil.org
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

25. * Mia Kim – Founder & Editor, Popgadget.net
“Dear Ms. Kim, we admire your work and wonder if you might be a candidate for world’s hottest _ _ _ _. Please
enclose a photo, no nudes, but sexy is great! Good luck!”
“Hey Mia, we thought you’d like to try out our new product, since you obviously play with these toys in your work.
We’ve included two, in case you want to take any pictures that mirror our new campaign. You’ll see strategically
wearing these will make a mighty fine bikini!” (These were tiny, medallion-sized mp3 players.)
Typical of the type of email feedback I get on a daily basis, it’s a bit salacious but what was I
expecting when I got into my ultra-masculine field: technology reporting? What’s sad but true is that
although women buy more consumer technology than men do, and brilliant women do amazing
things working in technology, women often face discriminatory practices if they want to become
computer scientists, write for a technology blog, or even just buy a new cell phone at an electronics
About Mia: store.
Mia Kim is the editor and founder
of Popgadget.net, the popular One day, as I was buying a computer magazine, the bookstore cashier leered at me and said,
technology review site for women. “yeaaahh, you and me- we both like computers and the hot girls, huh?” It was a breaking point. I’d
She is the electronics editor for had enough. I didn’t want to have to buy another magazine that was ostensibly about computers,
Shop.com, and contributes to
but could easily pass as a girlie mag for a desperate teenage boy. I wanted a magazine that was for
BusinessWeek Television and
People Magazine. She has taught someone like me- someone who’d just as happily shop for a smartphone as I would for a new
new media strategy at New York handbag. Oh sure, there were women in the magazines, but they were wearing, licking, or
University, where she got degrees seductively draped over the products, never using them.
in Film and in Interactive
Telecommunications.
So I created a online magazine and called it, “Popgadget- technology and innovative lifestyle- for
Mia has been interviewed as a and by women”. The important thing is, it’s not the technology that’s feminine, it’s the viewpoint, it’s
technology expert for the New the presentation, and for once, a door that says, “women come on in!” And every time a woman tells
York Times, BBC, Oprah me they never thought that technology was something they could understand and enjoy, then I
Magazine, The Wall Street
Journal, Fast Company, Business
know that I’ve created something pretty cool.
2.0., NPR, and G4TV.
Learn More About Mia Kim: www.popgadget.net
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

26. * Leah Komaiko – Brand Consultant, Author & Recovering Comedienne
Growing up, I never understood a famous line I heard in many movies, “it’s just business. Nothing
personal.” Then the character being assured this, would lose his job or a few knuckles. That always
looked pretty personal to me. As I grew up and grew a career with creative and strategic
opportunities taking me to a wide range of businesses, I have learned, in fact, business is personal
because it is largely about personalities. And everybody has one. An aspect of mine that I am grateful
for and learn to use daily is my sense of humor.
Humor sets the tone for how I operate. I am not looking to be the class clown but to be spontaneous.
This is authentically who I am. To me, a laugh makes the difficult simple again. A little joy can’t hurt. I
About Leah: have learned (the hard way) that true humor is a surprise. I don’t know how it works, but once I hear
the authentic “ring tone” of someone else’s laugh and let them hear mine, there’s no turning back.
Leah Komaiko helps businesses
realize, create, and tell the simple
We see and know a little something about each other beyond words. Where, for example, branding
stories that make them authentic, lives. It frees up thinking and creativity. It makes us happy. It allows us to take a breath. I have found
delightful and relevant to just in listening carefully to what another has said and repeating it later in a comic twist that works in
customers who are looking to fall the moment, people laugh. It delights us to know we have been heard.
in love with them and stay in love
with them. Leah was the
marketing director for a beloved A year ago I had an interview with the new CEO of a major corporation. First they had me interview
luxury skincare company. She in L.A. – then I went to a meeting in New York to meet with their new owners. I was drilled. I wanted
loves story and content in this client. I was enthusiastic and took it seriously. It was serious. I was prepared to discuss strategies
business. She is also the author of
and the competition and new products. I sensed they were interested. But it wasn’t until somehow it
twenty New York published books
– nineteen for children (where she made sense to bring up that I had, many years ago, been a stand-up comedienne, that the deal
learned how to keep a message seemed suddenly sealed. I had no plans of ever saying that. It was a surprise. I heard their “ring
simple, real and engaging), and a tones.” They loosened their ties. I got the account. Perhaps it is because many companies know that
best selling memoir for adults in business, like in comedy, timing is everything and your audience decides in the first 16 seconds if
which was bought by Hollywood.
Many years ago, she was a stand- you are going to bomb.
up comedienne at the Improv in
L.A and has been on “The Today
Show” and on “CNN” as well as in
numerous national publications.
Learn More About Leah Komaiko: www.leahkomaiko.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

27. * Yvonne Lembi-Detert – CEO/President, Personality Hotels
Personality has always been such an important ingredient in my life. The reason I call it an
ingredient is because a personality can change like the flavor of a recipe, but the important
part about the change is how you gauge it & use it to your advantage. I try to make sure my
personality always shows the truth through being just who I am.
One of the best exercises I ever gave myself while interviewing candidates, is to try to
imagine that the person I am interviewing IS a young toddler in the preschool play yard
interacting with the other small kids….& me being one of those kids. Then, believe it or not, I
see the mannerisms change in the interviewee because any sense of intimidation leaves the
room, and the both of us are on the same school yard grounds. I want the person to feel
comfortable and an ease begins to melt & their true PERSONALITY shows through in the
About Yvonne: interview process. This is a success story for me because it allows me to identify the right
candidate when I interview.
Yvonne Lembi-Detert, president and
CEO of Personality Hotels, is a true
pioneer of San Francisco boutique A personality can make or break a moment. It can show its true colors in a very
chic, having made her mark with the uncomfortable situation or it can settle the hearts of many by your personality sticking out
opening of the city’s first boutique
hotel more than 20 years ago. Fresh from crowd and lighting up the room with honesty, courage, and leadership.
out of the Rudolph Shaffer School of
Design and San Francisco State
I believe in the Golden Rule: Treat others with your PERSONALITY as you would like to be
University, her talents were enlisted to
remodel and convert a historic hotel treated!
building into Hotel Union Square in
1982. Since then, Yvonne’s hotel
collection has grown to encompass
seven properties, including Hotel
Metropolis, Hotel Union Square,
Kensington Park Hotel, the Steinhart
Hotel, the flagship property, Hotel
Diva, and the 2 newest additions:
Hotel Frank & Hotel Vertigo.
Learn More About Yvonne Lembi-Detert: www.personalityhotels.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

28. * Charlene Li – Author & Founder of Altimeter Group
For me, personality is about the personal. As a woman and person of color, it's often
tempting for me to check aspects of my personal life at the door in order to fit in better with
crowd that doesn't look like me. But I realized early on that no matter what I did, I would still
have breasts and different color skin -- so I may as well make the most of it!
So I use my personality -- aspects of my personal life -- to connect with people, whether it's
in one-on-one meetings or on stage in front of a thousand people. I share parts of my
personal life, my personal thoughts, and my personal perspective frequently. It could be
insights gleaned from being a parent one moment, and the next as an advisory to CEOs. It's
sharing the frustrations of being a working parent, second generation Chinese, and as a
digital evangelist. And it's showing that I understand and empathize with what other people
are going through.
About Charlene:
As a result, most people would describe me as "smart", but more importantly, "nice". Yes, it's
Charlene Li is an independent
thought leader on digital
hokey, but I really do try to connect and show appreciation in all my interactions with
technologies and the founder of people. Being perceived as nice has been particularly helpful in my business, as I'm seen as
Altimeter Group which provides easy to work with, especially in a space that's filled with super-sized egos. Smart people
consulting and digital strategies.
Charlene is one of the most
abound, but it's my personality as a very human, very real person that wins me the business
frequently-quoted industry at the end of the day.
analysts and has appeared on 60
Minutes, The McNeil NewsHour,
ABC News, CNN, and CNBC.
She is also frequently quoted by
The Wall Street Journal, The New
York Times, USAToday, Reuters,
and The Associated Press. She is
co-author of the business
bestseller Groundswell.
Learn More About Charlene Li: www.altimetergroup.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

29. * Laura Mayes – Co-Founder, kirtsy.com
Any question about personality is not really a fair one. Because everyone thinks she has a
swell personality and great taste in music. And considering I live with an ardent Wiggles
fan… well, you can see the flawed logic on at least the second half of that former statement.
So, it seems, there’s just no telling how much any given personality can help or hurt a
situation. But I have to believe in today’s world, you can fairly easily find your personality
matches, your psychographic twins, if you simply, authentically put your true self out there.
About Laura:
Laura Mayes is an Emmy award A few months after my Wiggles fan was born, I did just that. In 2005, against all professional
winning writer who joined two recommendations at the time, I started a personal blog to share photos with my little sister,
friends she met through design who was then living 2,000 miles east of my house. I put myself out there. My real self.
blogs to start kirtsy.com, a user-
generated content aggregator for Uncensored. Unapologetic. And like minds found mine. Two of those minds and I
online news. eventually had an idea to create a fun aggregator of more like minds. And kirtsy.com was
born.
Today, kirtsy is a thriving
community and a profitable
company. Kirtsy created and When we started moving forward with our idea, we’d never met, never spoken, never high-
hosted the Mom 2.0 Summit and fived. But we felt like we already knew one another. Because for more than a year, we had
has launched a nationwide
hands-on campaign to educate read each other’s blogs. This is the power of the medium. The power of the people and
women about social media. personalities online. A community of personalities.
Kirtsy is releasing a book, Kirtsy
Takes a Bow: A Celebration of So I’d say the power and potential of personality has been a path for me. A path to find
Women's Online Favorites in what, and who, is right around the corner to connect me to what’s now…and what’s next.
Summer 2009. In her 88 hours of
weekly spare time, Laura enjoys
hanging with her brilliant
husband, chasing their energetic
son around the house, and
destroying food for dinner parties.
Learn More About Laura Mayes: www.kirtsy.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

30. * Michelle Madhok – Founder, SheFinds Media
Personality is what gets you noticed.
From 1998 – 2003 I oversaw editorial content for women on AOL, which had the largest audience of
woman ever. The service had 35 million subscribers and 52% were woman. I learned a lot about
what women want from the Internet. One of the things they use the Internet for, is to save
themselves time. As women get busy with life - kids, job, you lose that time for yourself to go
shopping and keep up with the latest trends. While employed at AOL I had the idea for a site that
would help cut through the shopping clutter and wanted to build the site for the company. Having
a big idea and stepping out of the corporate org chart didn’t win me any points. I remember one
boss yelling at me when I brought the idea to him that I should stop trying to be so
“entrepreneurial.”
I eventually took a severance package and left AOL and then tried to shop the idea to other big
media companies. At Conde Nast the person I met with said “I think you’re a marketing person
trying to be an editorial person and that doesn’t cut it at Conde Nast.”
About Michelle:
Michelle Madhok is the founder So I decided to start the business on my own. I bootstrapped and built a $500 website. Every
and CEO of SheFinds Media an morning I would wake up thinking “how can I make money?” I did my own ad sales and own PR. I
online media company that
publishes editorial websites about
ran shopping tours in NYC to raise cash. I bartered beauty products for the domain name
shopping for busy, professional SheFinds.com. In 2007 I won a small business competition “Make Mine a Million” where you
women. Since its 2004 inception, present your business to an auditorium full of people and they vote on whether or not you were
the company has demonstrated going to be a success. In the audience was a reporter from Inc. Magazine who was impressed with
exceptional growth using its
my pitch and covered me and my business in a two page spread for the magazine. Shortly after that
capital efficient, highly scalable
model. Previously, Madhok was was published we got a call from an investor in Vancouver who had read the article in the airport.
group director of online content Last fall we sold a minority share of our company to that investor for $1.3M.
at AOL where she built and ran
what became the world’s largest Since then we’ve been profiled in videos for Dell Small Business, IKEA and Geek Squad. I’ve been a
online women’s channel. She paid spokesperson for Bank of America and Paypal. My personality is the engine pushing us into
began her media career at CBS in new opportunities and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
1995 as director of entertainment
marketing and one of the
founding executives of CBS.com. Learn More About Michelle Madhok: www.shefinds.com
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

31. * Jennifer Marchetti – Founder, GoosieCards.com
My personality helped take my product from a “what” to a “why”. Yes, I created a one of
a kind product that helps me stand out from the crowd. But I built the Goosie® brand
based on how important it was for me to teach my child and be a “hands on” mom. This
is who I am and it is my biggest asset for my business. My philosophy resonates with
other moms and transforms my product into a parenting lifestyle that moms truly believe
in.
I remain authentic and let my personality shine through everything I do inside as well as
About Jennifer: outside of my business. Being true to who I am connects me to this amazing social
community of moms on every level. These moms are my secret WOM sales force that
Jennifer Marchetti is the founder
and CEO of Goosiecards.com. drive my sales and give Goosie a life of its own.
Goosie Cards® are the first and
only personalized flash cards on My advice is to always be yourself and to celebrate your uniqueness in your business and
the market and were inspired by
her son, nicknamed “Goosie”. She let your personality shine through. The greatest gift we have is our authenticity and it’s
had her “AHA” moment when she the best way to stand out from the crowd!
had the idea to turn her family
photos into personalized flash
cards. She turned her passion into
a business and Goosiecards.com
was launched online in June 2006.
Goosie Cards are award-winning
flash cards that have received
celebrity exposure, national and
international television coverage
and featured in over 100 print and
online media outlets.
Learn More About Jennifer Marchetti: www.goosiecards.com
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

32. * Debra Morrow – Brand Consultant, Inventor, Fmr. Ad Agency President
My penchant for making every assignment fun began in college when a University of
Texas at Austin professor asked our speech class to share hobbies. Well, I liked to eat, so
I brought a big platter of spaghetti to class and demonstrated all the ways you could
consume it -- from the Single-Noodle Slurp to the Twirled, Full-Fork Stuff. Got an A.
Throughout my career, I’ve always looked for the fun factor – it’s just part of my
personality and it helped me earn nine promotions. No matter if I was writing about bras
at Dillard’s, managing a $40-million media budget for Color Tile or building a top-50
Southwest ad agency in Texas, I made it a personal mission to get people to lighten up
About Debra: and enjoy their job. After all, most of us spend our whole lives sitting in windowless
As a past president of offices. We might as well work in a relaxed and accepting atmosphere. That’s when the
Witherspoon, (recognized by
best work happens and when the best people hire on. Clients appreciate it, too. When
Adweek Magazine as a pastTop-
50 Southwest ad agency), Debra we presented a campaign theme, “The Lower You Go, The Less You Pay” to a large
Morrow built an award-winning newspaper client, we served virgin pina coladas and set up a limbo bar in the conference
creative department from the
ground up, leading the Fort
room. We were hired.
Worth, TX, shop to regional and
national recognition. During her Now in my fifth year of being an independent brand consultant, I’m still having fun in all
14-year tenure, she received more
than 200 industry awards for her
kinds of ways: helping clients define their brands and messaging, pursuing inventions,
writing and creative direction. selling intellectual property and serving non-profit organizations. Like the spaghetti in
Morrow has held numerous board college, I’m still throwing ideas against a wall to see if they stick. It’s a great feeling when
memberships and has been
recognized for her community
they do.
leadership with the Boys & Girls
Clubs, the Women's Shelter,
Senior Citizens Services and many
others. She was also a Texas
Wesleyan University commence-
ment speaker, and a Top Ten
Most Powerful Women in Fort
Worth Honoree. Learn More About Debra Morrow: www.morrowcompany.net
2nd EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

33. * Melanie Notkin – Founder, SavvyAuntie.com
When I first developed my plan for Savvy Auntie, I had two fundamental strategies for
success. I found powerful consumer data on the segment I have dubbed PANKs -
Professional Aunts No Kids. Then I worked closely with a top-tier creative agency to develop
a really strong product. But the formula, I found out quickly, was still missing the secret
ingredient that would propel it to success; it was missing "me."
As I began to develop my company, I simultaneously shared my story through social media
platforms like Twitter, Facebook and my "behind-the-scenes" business blog. By revealing
much of myself and my business in an authentic and transparent way, I was closing the gap
between "business" and "personality," creating trust. And by creating trust, I was laying
down the groundwork for becoming a brand.
About Melanie: First, the people connected with me. Then the media did. Then sponsors, like Disney, came
Melanie Notkin is the founder and calling. Now my road to success is guided by a three-pronged strategy: Powerful Niche;
CEO of SavvyAuntie.com, the first Strong Product; Social Influence. Sure, you can start a company with just the first two. But
online community for cool aunts,
great aunts, godmothers and all imagine the potential of leveraging your own personal passion to really make it soar.
women who love kids. Melanie is
a regular panelist on the Strategy
Room on FoxNews.com and a
contributing editor to Toy Wishes
Magazine. She and Savvy Auntie
have been featured on NBC, CBS,
The New York Times, The Wall
Street Journal, Business Week, The
Washington Post, Huffington
Post, Mashable and TechCrunch,
among others. SavvyAuntie.com
was ranked as one of Springwise's
Top 10 Entreprenerial Ideas of the
Year (2008)..
Learn More About Melanie Notkin: www.savvyauntie.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

34. * Laura Ries – Branding Guru & Bestselling Author
Early on, I figured out that I was a very independent person, not easily swayed by the
opinions of others. In terms of getting ahead in the business world, this was a significant
discovery.
What kind of a personality does it take to succeed in the corporate world? Obviously I
didn’t have that kind of personality. A totally independent person is never going to make
it. In the world of big business, you need to fit in with the crowd. As they say in Australia,
“the tall poppy gets hammered down.”
Where can an independent person go to get ahead? I had two choices. I could be an
About Laura: entrepreneur or I could be a consultant. Both occupations fit my personality. Fortunately,
my dad was a marketing consultant and was more than willing to take me into the firm.
An expert on marketing and branding
strategy, Laura Ries is the best-selling
author of some of the nation’s most Our consulting firm works with many large corporations, so I’ve had a chance to observe
respected branding books. In 1994, she the dynamics that happen in big companies. I keep thinking to myself, “That’s not a place
partnered with her father and
Positioning pioneer Al Ries. Together
for my personality.”
they founded Ries & Ries, a marketing
strategy firm now based in Atlanta,
Georgia. Together, they consult with
fortune 500 companies and have written
5 books together. Their latest release is
War in the Boardroom: Why Left-Brain
Management and Right-Brain Marketing
don’t see eye-to-eye and what to do
about it. Laura has been honored as a
“Management Guru” by Business 2.0 and
named as a top 40 under 40 by the
Atlanta Business Chronicle. She
frequently appears as a commentator
on Fox News, CNBC, CNN and others.
Learn More About Laura Ries: www.ries.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR

35. * Kaira Sturdivant Rouda – Author, Real You Incorporated
I don’t like snarks or honk monsters, but I do “honk” when I laugh. Usually, in a meeting, I’m the one
fidgeting and multi-tasking when I can get away with it. My personality is what it is: I came this way. I
like to travel in groups—so it’s hard for me to work alone. I love building and nurturing teams, at
home and at the office. I’m a pretty fierce feminist—and I don’t consider that an “f” word. I’ve
dedicated my career to marketing, inspiring, creating and empowering women. And I’ve been
blessed.
Sure, there have been plenty of hurdles along the way. Naturally, I haven’t always fit in with the
boy’s club. But today’s business is no longer dictated by the old networks—it’s all about social
networks, the Internet and the power of women. It’s the decade of the entrepreneur, and women
are leading the charge. I can feel it. And it’s exciting. That’s me, in a nutshell, and it’s the philosophy I
About Kaira: bring to keynote addresses and one-on-one consulting meetings: energy, vision and passion. It’s
also the point of view of my book: Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs.
Kaira Sturdivant Rouda is a
marketing expert, entrepreneur,
motivational speaker and mom.
When I created the Real Living brand, I went through the 8-step method outlined in my book and
She is the best-selling author of created the first female-focused national real estate company in the U.S. I needed the brand to come
Real You Incorporated: 8 to life. It needed to be spunky, like me. The logo is round in a sea of squares, proudly red and real,
Essentials for Women built on a tradition of 50+ years in the business. We hand out lava lamps and have them at our
Entrepreneurs, founder of Real
You and president and creator
branches. Real estate is a service, but the real estate industry for too long aligned its feel with banks.
of Real Living—the first national (Read stodgy.) And, in what is the opposite of personification, most real estate brands were (and still
women-focused brand in real do) talking to themselves instead of the consumer. (Who is a woman, by the way, as is most likely
estate. She has appeared in your customer.)
hundreds of blogs and print
publications, and was
recognized in Entrepreneur Real estate brands, like brands in many legacy industries, make a big show of holding onto the past
magazine’s Top 50 Fastest- and thumping their chests. And that’s the opposite of connecting, the opposite of real. What you
Growing, Women-Led need to put into your business, now more than ever, is the Real You.
Companies list. She resides in
Columbus, Ohio, with her
husband and four children.
Learn More About Kaira Sturdivant Rouda: www.realyouincorporated.com
1st EDITION CONTRIBUTOR